Centre-right EU lawmaker says he will back socialist assembly head

The centre-right leader of EU lawmakers, Germany's Manfred Weber, said on Tuesday his group was ready to back a socialist pick for president of the bloc's assembly.

"It is up to the socialists to present a candidate," Weber said after EU leaders agreed on names to fill four of five top EU jobs on Tuesday.

Weber spoke at a news conference in the French city of Strasbourg where the new European Parliament gathers for an inaugural session and is due to pick its new head on Wednesday.